Solskjaer rages at scheduling for his jet-lagged side

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has launched an extraordinary attack on the Premier League’s ‘joke’ scheduling after Manchester United beat Everton 48 hours after returning from Champions League action in Turkey.

Solskjaer, whose job is under pressure following a poor start to the season, sounded like ex-United boss Sir Alex Ferguson as he blasted the authorities following his side’s

3-1 lunchtime win at Goodison.

The angry Norwegian revealed United had asked the Premier League a month ago to switch the fixture to Sunday so his players could rest following their four thousand-mile round trip to Istanbul.

‘Our boys were set up to fail today with the scheduling,’ raged Solskjaer. ‘How can you expect players to perform with the 12.30 kick-off time? It’s an absolute joke.

‘Of course we tried to move this game. What sense was there playing Saturday lunchtime when we could play Sunday because of the international break?

‘I pushed my club to really fight on this one to give us half a chance. But it was quashed.

‘We came back from Turkey about four o’clock on Thursday morning and are asked to play 12.30pm on Saturday.

‘Use common sense and sort out the schedule. This is such a serious issue.’

After a run of poor results, United’s players fought for their manager.

‘The boys were not going to give anyone a chance to take three points off us today. They were so determined,’ said Solskjaer.

‘There was a zip about us in the first half but there were tired legs and tired minds in the second half and we went into survival mode, hanging onto the result.’

Having topped the table, Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti bemoaned his side’s inability to keep the ball out of the net.

‘We didn’t defend well after we scored first and they took advantage,’ said the Italian. ‘We were slow at the back and must improve.

‘I hope that after the international break we will back in a different shape. It is not only a problem of the defenders, it is all of the team.’